# NTSB LAX90LA090: Cessna 180, N9164T, Red Bluff, CA, February 15, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 15, 1990, 10:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Red Bluff, CA
- Coordinates: 40.340446, -121.849433 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3404&lon=-121.8494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26735
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26735/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA090

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING AN ATTEMPTED GO-AROUND AFTER HE SWERVED OFF THE RUNWAY AFTER LANDING WITH A CROSSWIND COMPONENT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - aborted
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT LANDED IN A SIX KNOT CROSSWIND AND BEGAN TO SWERVE OFF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO GO-AROUND, LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, AND COLLIDED WITH A DIRT BANK LOCATED OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL DIFFICULTIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9164T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Klawitter, Ralph A.
- Departed: RDM, REDMOND, OR
- Airport: RBL, Red Bluff, runway 33, 6,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 85 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 14,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19900215002169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900215002169A), Feb 15, 1990: Cessna 180, Red Bluff, CA, Substantial damage. Swerved off runway landing in a crosswind. Tried to go around but struck a ditch.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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